Program Snapshot

We're so excited that you're considering IFSA-Butler's program at Australian National University (ANU) for your semester or year abroad. ANU is the premier Australian university and Canberra, as the capital of Australia, is a great place to immerse yourself in Aussie culture. We're sure you're going to love studying there!

One of Australia's most prestigious universities, consistently ranked among the top 50 universities in the world

A parkland campus located in the heart of Australia's capital city

A arts center with theatre for live performances, as well as museums and galleries throughout the city

Ideal for students interested in research-led education

Students learn and study alongside world leading scholars

Higher than average staff-to-student ratio

Research opportunities available

Named the second "greenest" university in Australia by The Australian!

Housing

Housing is in either Ursula Hall or Burton & Garran Hall

All housing has excellent facilities and provides a full schedule of social, musical and athletic activities

Academics

ANIP interns complete a major research report while placed within a legislative, public service or nongovernment organization

In the "Search for" box, type in keywords or subjects you're interested in studying, then hit the search button.

What courses am I eligible to take?As an IFSA-Butler student, you are entitled to enroll in undergraduate courses for which you are qualified and in which space is available. Course descriptions in the online course catalog (see above) include prerequisites you must fulfill in order to enroll in each course.

For each course that you list on your preference form, be sure to check the following:

When determining which courses to take, please bear in mind that the Australian academic system is an intensive, three-year program.

First-year (1000-level) courses are appropriate for departments in which you have little or no prior experience.

Second-year (2000-level) courses will be equivalent to advanced sophomore or junior-level U.S. courses.

Third-year (3000-level) courses will be equivalent to senior-level U.S. courses.

Fourth-year (4000-level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

What if I need to take a required course?Please be aware that IFSA-Butler cannot guarantee that your host university will offer a particular course, or that you will be allowed to take that particular course. However, if you need to take a required course, you may indicate that it is required on your course preference form. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor will communicate your needs to your host university.

Course Restrictions

Fourth-year (4000-level) courses and higher are part of a postgraduate degree (Masters or Ph.D.). You are not eligible to take these courses as an undergraduate study abroad student.

Credits

How many courses am I able to take, and how do I determine U.S. semester credit hours?IFSA-Butler requires students to enroll in a full course load at the host institution. The number of courses you take depends on the credit value of the courses you select. At Australian National University, a full course load consists of 24 Australian National University points per semester or 48 Australian National University points per year. For information on the credit weight, please consult the information below.

Track: Asia-Pacific Discovery

ANU offers a special Asia Pacific Discovery track for study abroad students. This track includes a core course, Special Topics in Asia and the Pacific, for study abroad students only, but students in the track take three other Asia-focused courses that are integrated within the regular university curriculum.

Also included in this track are Asia-themed excursions, field-based learning and guest lectures.

Please notify your IFSA-Butler program advisor if you would like to apply for this special track.

Track: Research Physics

This unique opportunity is offered through the ANU Research School of Physics & Engineering, which performs research at the cutting edge of a wide range of disciplines. Participants interested in this option enroll in research topics course for 4 U.S. credits.

Our program advisor will work with the ANU research coordinator to help you find a suitable research project and introduce you to your research supervisor, who will mentor you on the project. Participants in this track can choose from a range of subjects, including:

Astrophysics

Atomic and Molecular Physics

Clean Energy

Biophysics

Engineering in Physics

Environmental Physics

Fusion and Plasma Confinement

Materials Science and Engineering

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Photonics Lasers and Nonlinear Optics

Plasma Applications and Technology

Physics of Fluid

Physics of the Nucleus

Quantum Devices and Technology

Quantum Science

Theoretical Physics

Topological and Structural Science

Please notify your IFSA-Butler program advisor if you would like to apply for this special track.

Registration

What are the registration conditions?You must take a full Australian National University course load as determined by IFSA-Butler. Credit will be awarded on a Butler University transcript based on a typical U.S. full course load. All courses are graded on an A-F scale, and there is no provision for pass/fail or auditing courses unless pass/fail is the only method of assessment for the course. You are not allowed to register for online, distance education or hybrid courses.

You should also be aware that you may be charged additional fees by your home institution or host university to take or process additional credits. Taking less than a full course load may jeopardize your student status and result in personal academic repercussions and/or loss of financial aid.

The course preference form is not a registration form; it is a guideline to let your host university know which courses you are interested in taking abroad. You should discuss your course selections with your academic advisor at your home institution and have several backup choices in mind. Neither you nor the university is bound by your selections, and you will not officially register for courses until you arrive on campus.

Exams

What do I need to know about exams?Because of the differences in the academic systems, you will not know your exam schedule until after you arrive at your host university. Please refer to your program calendar to review the exam period for your host university. Your host university's policies do not permit you to reschedule any exams, request alternate assessments or arrange to have your exams proctored in the United States. If this occurs, IFSA-Butler cannot assist you in conducting a grade appeal or academic follow-up for the course in which you made this arrangement. You will need to complete and submit all academic work prior to departing the program.

Transcripts

How will my home university know what my classes were and what grades I received?After you have returned to the U.S., your home university will receive a Butler University transcript with the credit you earned at Australian National University. The Butler University transcript will report the equivalent U.S. semester credit hours and letter grades. We also will send an official transcript to your permanent address.

Burton & Garran Hall - Burton & Garran Hall houses 517 students. The hall provides single rooms with shared bathroom facilities on each floor and also kitchen facilities. Meals are self-catered. Internet access is included in the housing fee. This is a multicultural hall that houses students from across Australia and around the world. It offers great social events and support, and new students are quickly welcomed into the B&G family.

Meals

Ursula Hall has a supplemental fee of $2,140 per semester for the cost of the meal plan. This supplemental fee is billed to a student's billing address after the student's arrival abroad.

Students living in Burton & Garran prepare or purchase their own meals.

Housing FAQs

Is my housing included in the program fee?Yes. Your program fee includes accommodation at the university while classes are in session. You will be responsible for any commuting costs you may incur. Australian university housing requires students to move out during breaks between semesters. If you are studying abroad for a year and wish to remain in residence during the vacation period(s), you must notify the university housing office upon arrival to make necessary arrangements. Staying in residence during these breaks may incur additional costs not covered by the IFSA-Butler program fee.

When will I receive my housing assignment?You will most likely receive your housing assignment one to two weeks before your departure. However, in some cases you may not receive your housing assignment until you arrive in Australia for orientation. Your program advisor will notify you of your housing assignment via e-mail when it is released by the university.

Are linens and cooking supplies included?Students must purchase their own linens and their own cooking supplies.

Can I arrange my own housing? Yes. IFSA-Butler recognizes that some students require independent housing for their time abroad. If you choose not to take advantage of our guaranteed housing, you may sign up for independent housing on the housing preference form. Once you've made this choice, we will not provide housing for you or bill you for the accommodation fee.

Please be advised that housing costs can be high abroad, and many times students living independently end up spending more money than students living in IFSA-Butler arranged housing. If you are hoping to save money by arranging housing on your own, please research your options early so you can compare costs. You must notify us of your intention to live in independent housing by the program application deadline for your term abroad, listed at the top of this page. We are not able to accommodate independent housing requests after the deadline.

Location Info

Living and Studying Abroad in Canberra, Australia

About CanberraPopulation: 365,000Location: Australian Capital Territory, in southeast Australia

City features

The capital city of Australia and the seat of government

Vibrant and diverse, with a young population and cosmopolitan lifestyle

Centered 90 minutes from the coast and 90 minutes from the ski areas

Home to social and cultural treasures, including the National Gallery of Australia and the National Museum of Australia

Ethnic restaurants and great nightlife

Do more!

Travel a half-hour south for bushwalking and picnicking in Namadgi National Park

Visit some of the 140 vineyards located in the peaceful rural countryside around Canberra

Dates & Fees

Program Dates

Your program end date may change due to circumstances beyond IFSA-Butler's control. Upon arrival at your host university, be sure to verify your exam schedule and program end date. We also strongly recommend that you investigate fees and penalties associated with your airline tickets in case you need to make date or route changes.

All program support services end on the “Program Ends” date.

Exams must be taken where and when scheduled. Under no circumstances may students request that an exam time be changed. In Australia exams are taken under formal examination conditions, and changes cannot be made for individuals.

Program Fees

Calendar Year and Semester 1 Payments Due: December 15Academic Year and Semester 2 Payments Due: May 15

Program Fee BillsIFSA-Butler will send a single bill for tuition, services and housing. Any bills for tuition differentials and/or supplemental housing fees will be sent separately. Students who opt for independent housing will not be charged the housing component of the program fee.

HousingThe housing component of our program fee is based on the average cost of local student self-catering accommodation, usually a shared room in a regular dormitory, apartment or house without any extra features.

Personal Cost Estimates

These figures are designed to assist students with financial planning but are only estimates based on past students’ experiences at the current exchange rate. They do not include any entertainment or vacation travel costs. Meals are estimated based on the cost of a weekly standard grocery shop with one meal out. If you plan to eat out once a day or more, we recommend using a higher estimate. If you have dietary restrictions or follow a specific diet (gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, organic, etc), you may also wish to budget more due to the higher cost of specialty food items.

The above numbers are general estimates of expenses during a program abroad. We recommend taking into account your current spending habits, the cost of living in your host country and the current exchange rate. Your IFSA-Butler program advisor can be helpful as you attempt to work on a personal budget for your experience abroad.

Commuting: Estimates are for transportation between housing and university. Transportation for personal or recreational purposes is not included in the above estimates.

All costs are in U.S. dollars.

Meet Your IFSA-Butler Team

IFSA-Butler has a dedicated team of staff who are here to help students prepare for their program in Australia:

Program Advisor Emma Diebold assists with the application process and is here to answer program, cultural and academic questions before departure. Emma completed her undergraduate degree in Geography: Travel & Tourism at Ball State University. She went abroad with the BSU Geography Department to Eastern and Central Europe and has enjoyed personal travels to several destinations including Belgium, France, Ireland, Peru, Ecuador and The Bahamas. Emma joined the IFSA-Butler team to aid students who want to explore the world and advises students planning to study abroad in England. Emma can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4258.

Student Accounts Coordinator Becki Niccum assists with the financial side of study abroad and processes payments and invoices. Becki can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-3077.

Student & Parent Services Manager Donnetta Spears is available to both students and parents for travel questions and information. Donnetta has worked with IFSA-Butler since 2000, and she has traveled through parts of Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand. As the mother of 4 college students (including one who studied abroad on an IFSA-Butler program), she has a deep understanding of the ins-and-outs of study abroad from a parent perspective. Donnetta can be reached at the email link above or at 317-940-4252.

Once abroad, our students are in the capable hands of our on-site office, including our Student Services Coordinator Lindsey Meldrum. Click here to read more about Lindsey.

Academic Records Coordinator Abby Miller graduated from Butler University where she worked as a guide for international students from all over the world. From that experience and combined with her own world travels, she knows the amazing experiences that studying abroad can provide. Abby is excited to work with IFSA-Butler students and to help answer any questions about their academic records. Abby can be reached at the email link above or at 800-858-0229, ext. 4217.

Internships

Students from any major may participate in an internship in the public or private sector while attending Australian National University. You will complete a research report while placed within a legislature, public service or nongovernment organization. Students must have completed two full years of undergraduate study at the time of their application to the internship program.

As an intern, you will experience the policy-making process at the national level. Canberra is not only the headquarters of Australia's federal Parliament and public service, but it also is home to embassies, the most important national associations, nongovernment organizations and lobbying groups. Placement possibilities include the following:

Parliament HouseThe Australian National Internships Program (ANIP) has an exclusive agreement that allows students to be placed within the Federal Parliament. You may be in the office of a senator or a member of the House of Representatives, in one of about 50 parliamentary committees or in a department responsible for the operation of Parliament. Subjects range from global politics and development to social and environmental policy to issues of governance.

The ACT Legislative AssemblyThis is the legislature for Canberra residents that exercises both state and local government functions for the Australian Capital Territory. It is regarded as a pioneer on social issues such as euthanasia, consumer rights and treatment of juvenile defenders.

Public ServicesANIP provides opportunities for placement in either Australian Federal or Territory departments and agencies. In the past, student projects have focused on the environment, financial management, sports policy, public planning and issues surrounding Australia's Aboriginal population.

Nongovernment OrganizationsANIP offers several placements for interns interested in Canberra-based industry and community organizations.

Students completing an ANU internship enroll in the public sector internship course and one additional course. The internship combines six weeks of coursework on the legislative and policy-making process at the beginning of the semester with an eight- to 10-week part-time placement (a minimum of two days per week).

The final grade for your internship is based on a combination of at least one presentation, one or more essays and a research report.

Applying for the InternshipIf interested in applying for the internship, please contact the ANU program advisor to receive additional application materials.

In addition to the internship application forms, all students interested in applying to the internship program must also submit a letter of recommendation. This letter of recommendation is in addition to the one letter of recommendation required for the general ANU application.

Application DeadlinesPlease submit all completed forms and documentation directly to IFSA-Butler. The deadline for a complete internship application is September 15 for semester 1 and March 15 for semester 2.